Trial starts for Frenchman accused of sex scandal in Algeria

A Frenchman accused of heading an international prostitution network, pornography ring and abortion appeared in court on Thursday in Annaba (east of Algeria) amid heavy security.

Jean-Michel Baroche nicknamed Abderrahim exploited minor girls in a rented villa in Annaba which was supposed to be a touristic development agency. Seven Algerians are involved in the scandal including a deputy mayor and gynecologists.

National and French medias were present in the court along with trainee lawyers. The judge ordered to journalists to leave the court, saying the victims include minor girls. Lawyers’ national union leader asked the judge to authorize trainee lawyers to attend the trial. Yet, the judge stopped the trial while journalists showed dissatisfaction over his decision. They asked Attorney General to allow them to attend the trial but their efforts were in vain.

According to sources, Baroche, 68, were heard by the judge and denied all the allegations against him. He said he knew the minor girls but he ignored that the Algerian law prohibits pornography. He also said he did not post the videos on the Internet.

Speaking about money he spent in sex parties, he said he got it from his brother.